older people and work

Older workers are 'unretiring' after leaving the workforce during the pandemic

How I wish that were true!

Now officially retired but having been made redundant six years ago, finding another job was a minefield. Despite it being against the law to age discriminate, it's alive and kicking here in the UK.

When asked why I hadn't put age or dob on job application, was advised it was needed to satisfy Government reporting. What an excuse!

Well done to anyone over a certain age that's managed to secure employment. You are very lucky!

I agree that there is discrimination but there are ways to get around it.

Here in California, they are very careful not to discriminate I think so I have not had any issues with getting hired for many jobs since I became old. I have had a lot of jobs in the last 10 years.

I sold hot tubs with a guy in his 60s, when I was 57, worked for a local park service job when I was 60 did personal care attendant job, worked for trader Joe's when I was 58, worked for Wholefoods as a shopper during the lockdown helping get food out at age 61 and there were lots of people even older than me pushing carts around the store

I worked at Best Buy for a bit at 59, went back to doing massage for a while but it was too hard on my body, worked for an artisanal chocolate shop at 55, did a bunch of freelance writing over the last few years.
I am teaching Pilates again. I was surprised when I started teaching at Club Pilates at how many people over 50 who are teaching fitness classes, especially Pilates because many people over 50 are taking Pilates for rehab. but I have been teaching all ages and teaching hardcore advanced classes too. so that has been nice. But I am in Silicon Valley where Pilates teachers are in high demand because people have money to take classes.
Had a bunch of private cleaning clients for bit for house cleaning and they didn't even ask how old I was. Found an Air BNB job that paid me a stipend been during Covid lockdown and let me live in one of the apartments. Now I am doing work trade in exchange for rent.

I just got my certification to teach English as a foreign language and got hired for a few hours a week already as an in-person tutor and that should get me the experience I need to get an online position soon. I recommend Bridge Education Group for that.

And now I am enrolled in an online school called Skillcrush that caters to women, elders, and other marginalized people, to learn to code so I can raise my income up to a normal level and work remotely. I feel like now that remote work is getting to be the norm it doesn't matter as much how old you are because people cannot see you as much. when I was freelancing I often didn't even see the people on zoom. I only communicated by email and they didn't even know how old I was.

My point is look around for training for a skill you can do online, tutoring, proofreading, graphic design, web development. motion graphics, I suggest school of motion for that. there is also skillshare, etc. so many ways to get started and after 6 months to a year you have a skill. writers den for freelance writing. etc. just look around.

This year I am considered a senior citizen. Lol, I still have people ask me if I'm in my 30s or 40s. Well, I liked the previous message. I am teaching online and am learning how to code. I encourage people to use free code camp since it is free. There is no teacher but there are helpful hints on there. I think skillcrush is expensive. If you are thinking about paying for anything for coding, I highly recommend trying to do it yourself first then look around for some courses or a coding bootcamp if you think it is necessary. At our age, no company is going to hire us but maybe we can do freelancing as web developers etc. I agree that if you look around some places may hire you at our age. I applied to other teaching companies and was given interviews but turned them down since they are not working remotely for now. I am freelancing as a teacher as well. I think as long as you are capable and willing to work, there are jobs out there. I think age is just a number. If you think you are capable of working and are willing to work, then please don't give up and keep searching for jobs that are suitable.

Thanks for your advice. I hope more and more companies are giving older people a chance.

I’ve been hanging back to see if a post of a less rosy view of opportunities for seniors appears. Nope….Alas, here I go with my take.

Being able and willing isn’t enough. And the types of jobs available are often too physically demanding or with a volatile schedule, like fast food or retail. Slim pickings these days, now with Covid. Some people can’t stand or walk for hours. Or work till midnight then show up at 8am the next morning.

Employers are demanding and pay is low with little or no benefits. I’m sure senior friendly employers exist but it’s like finding a needle in a haystack.

The US is a youth oriented culture or youth worshiping. How many times do we hear how we can look younger, dress younger, feel younger? Cover that gray? There’s denial about aging in this culture.

Not everyone is tech savvy. Or has the necessary equipment and high speed internet to work online. It’s a Catch 22, you can’t do it without the tech, and can’t afford it without a job. You also need a quiet home, not a crappy apartment with thin walls.

And you can’t afford to move and don’t know where to go anyway that’s affordable. Upscale buildings are going up along with the number of tents.

And here just being unemployed is a barrier, you get stigmatized.

It also depends on where you live.

There’s programs for unemployed seniors here but the waiting list is long. And because of Covid as usual, there’s no participating companies. These would be in person or on site jobs, where they are willing to train. So few places train like in the old days. They want you to have the experience already.

When the weather is mild enough there’s tents outside the senior center of all places. I’ve seen people who look near my age on the streets. I’m sure not all homeless people are mentally ill or addicts.

They may be down on their luck, with no friends or family to help. And our safety nets were inadequate even before Covid. It’s hard to qualify for help and even harder to apply.

Social security may be too measly to live off of, though it’s not meant to be the sole source of income. So seniors have to work but can’t do just any kind of work. And it’s not being lazy, it’s being realistic about one’s limitations even if not officially “disabled”.

So easier said than done.

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I think you're right, alas.

Me too.. Ha ha But seriously seniors are also told not to list 30 or 40 years of work experience cause it will give away your age.

I read on another site about a senior woman waiting for an interview. Someone buzzed the receptionist, on speaker phone, and asked where the applicant was. The person said nobody is in the lobby except “some old lady”. I’m sure this is more common than one wants to believe.

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Well! Can we call her an "ageist"?

Yes, among other things. And it was a man saying he just sees some old lady. And stupid enough to use speaker phone like he was sure she can’t be the candidate.

Note my new location. At least we can regenerate into a younger body.

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So, it is a harsh world out there! I understand, I am planning on becoming a peer counselor when I return home to the USA. I will find out if there is job discrimination or not. I decide to do this because there is free training and support in my state. I don't expect to earn much but enough to pay for community college courses. I would like to do medical interpreting for the deaf eventually. I think this is not an easy path either but I love languages so decided to look into it. So, yes, it is hard to find jobs if you need to be independent and do everything yourself. I did that and, boy oh boy, it was hard!! I am going home to my family. I need to take care of my mother while working and taking some courses. I don't want to be stranded here in another country all alone anymore.

bp, your plans sound good and I say, "Go for it!"

(Owl. my books are murder mysteries. In one, the main character is a college professor who gets involved in trying to figure out the deaths of two of her students. The second and third are about a church secretary who solves murders. The sci-fi will be one where the main character wakes up in heaven. They are all Christian stories.)

Trav, I wanted to allude to what you said earlier about big companies offering incentives for older worker to retire. In the 90’s I worked in the benefits department at a big company. They closed a bunch of subsidiaries and offered early retirement to those 55 and up.

I was too young to wonder why they are encouraged to retire and not keep working. NOW I get it. Even younger got offers of lump sums and most of them chose to cash it out taking a tax hit, rather than saving it for retirement.

I’m hindsight I think they needed it to live off of. Unemployment doesn’t cover enough.

I’m reading a collection of short stories by Shirley Jackson. One of them is called My Life with RH Macy. It’s about a woman who worked for Macy’s for two days and quit. She was just one of thousands in that company and knew she wouldn’t be missed. They identified employees by number, not name. They probably never knew her face or voice.

The story is more relevant than ever. It was about being another faceless number among many others.

Sadly not all states have free training and if so, one must qualify and that can be tricky.

Thankfully here on Gallifrey we don’t worry about such things. We try not to meddle in human affairs especially in politics.

There’s a Suburu commercial I despise. They claim to treat both employees and customers with “love and respect”. Right ….I’d only believe it if I see it. Or experience it !!And since I hate the commercial I don’t even want to buy anything from them. They expect us to believe a big company has a soul and will treat people with respect? Especially employees?

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And Trav, forgot to say I thought your science fiction book would involve time travel.Like how we can go back to 2019, before all this bs….and do things differently. I know, it’s a dream but I can dream right?

I believe ageism exists. One may not experience it but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen. And it’s hard to prove, alas.

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I do agree that ageism exists everywhere. I have to admit my age on my applications here in Asia. Now, it states I'm in my mid-fifties. I don't think I'm going to have a chance anymore to work here as an English teacher although I look young. So, it is true ageism exists. I don't want to admit it but being older is not fun at times.

I got an interview despite putting my age down. I am hoping for the best. I am stressed by my situation. But, I am counting my blessings that someone is giving me a chance despite my age. I must survive and go forward. Of course, I want to get this job but I still have to pass the interview. I will do my best!

I hope you will.

I passed and got the job tentatively. Thank you so much!! They said I have to retire at 65 though. I don't know if I will last that long!! Lol, I think I've found my rainbow. I say please don't give up, persevere, and maybe you will find your rainbow too!!

I start working tomorrow and just signed the contract today. Thank you all!! Cheers!

@bpforever1 good luck with your new job.